Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said that Bangladesh will have stronger relations with the external world through celebrating the 50 years of Independence amid the presence of global leaders – both in person and virtually.
The celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is also going on in the country.
A 10-day mega event will be held from March 17 to 26 and Bangladesh has invited many global leaders to become part of the celebrations.
While talking to reporters after a function in Dhaka city hotel on Thursday, Dr Momen said President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will join the celebrations in person.
“We’ll have discussions on many issues. Agreements will be signed and bilateral issues will be discussed. But the main purpose is to build stronger bonding and friendship,” he said.
The foreign minister said President of China Xi Jinping will send a video message marking the celebrations and a counselor, who is above the rank of a minister, may come with the message.
Dr Momen said French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also send video messages marking the celebrations.
President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will arrive on March 17 on a two-day visit and attend the celebrations at the National Parade Grounds in Agargaon.
Then, the President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa will arrive in Dhaka to join the celebrations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive on March 26 and he will visit places outside Dhaka though the other three South Asian leaders will have engagements in Dhaka only.
The Indian premier will visit the Bangabandhu memorial in Tungipara to pay respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and is expected to visit the Orakandi temple and “Satipith.” He will also visit Satkhira.
The five leaders are likely to visit the National Mausoleum at Savar, Dhanmondi 32, and will attend the main program at the National Parade Grounds.
